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Monday, September 11, 2017

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME • The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

The Rep kicks off its 51st season with Simon Stephens’ Tony Award-winning play, based on Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel. The Curious Incident revolves around Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy and his quest to figure out who killed his neighbor’s dog. During his search, he runs across a more elusive puzzle that sends him from Swindon to London. Christopher has an astonishing mind for mathematics, a fascination for the constellations of the night sky, and a love for his pet rat Toby, but he doesn’t do physical contact and is prone to sensory overload. Taxed by conversation, he has no use for metaphors -- he's acutely literal in the way he takes in the world. The play hinges on this performance, and an excellent, endearing Nick LaMedica sinks into this demanding role with a fixed gaze that implies his mind's wheels turning, and tight shoulders and a contorted face when his routines are disturbed or his surroundings start to close in.

Christopher (Nick LaMedica).

Photo credit: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

Christopher's got a notebook that contains an account of his exploits, and the mystery of his neighbor’s dog is uncovered as sections of his story are read aloud to us by his teacher, Siobhan, a kind face in the crowd who helps him cope, rendered in a warm, engaged performance by Kathleen Wise. Ed, Christopher’s father, is against his son’s snooping around from the start, and Jimmy Kieffer’s portrayal is patient and devoted, with a streak of volatility underneath his fatigue. Amy Blackman’s Judy, Christopher’s mom, seems apprehensive about the care her son’s needs demand, but shows a loving willingness to provide it, yearning for a brief touch of spread out fingertips -- about the most physical contact Christopher can manage. The ensemble members look on as the play unfolds, stepping in for multiple roles and filling in as extensions of the things around him.

Ed (Jimmy Kieffer) and Christopher (Nick LaMedica).

Photo credit: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Curious Incident premiered in the West End in 2012, Broadway in 2014, and picked up praise for its technical innovation. Those effects are scaled back in the Rep's production, instead leading with director Marcia Milgrom Dodge’s choreography, along with some creative stagecraft to move through the story. Narelle Sissons’ scenic design features towering walls scribbled with cube numbers and equations, washed with stark, artful lights by Matthew Richards. David Bullard’s sound design includes driving segue music, accenting the more harrowing aspects of Christopher’s journey, and these elements all come together admirably to illustrate the play's unique point of view.

Judy (Amy Blackman) and Christopher (Nick LaMedica).

Photo credit: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

Though not mentioned in the play, Christopher likely falls somewhere along the autism spectrum, but that’s not what the play’s about. With developments that lead us into unexpected territory, the single-minded determination of Christopher's is something we can all rally behind, while rooting for the future success of a kid who faces his share of challenges, but grasps more than most. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is playing at the Rep until October 1st.